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Given the pictures, yeah, it does appear to be on the smaller size (seat height), but still, the front centre is quite a bit longer than the rear is. And with a high pivot the effective chainstay (the lower link) is longer than with an ordinary lower pivot layout of course.
We just need a Pinion with a non-concentric output gear (like on an Effigear).
The seat tube is steep for Intense standards though. But a steep seat tube just requires a longer reach to not have an insanely short top tube...
The benefits of rearward axle path and lengthening the CS under compression within reason is the secret sauce.
Not seen a good looking color scheme & sticker/paint patter in years over there.
Meanwhile YT is making bikes with no logos that look sexy as crap. I mean, even Kona is making good looking bikes now with the "less is more" graphics.
I remember lusting after this one (though probably still the 26" version, same colour though).
As for pedal kickback, I think it was brake jack, yeah, at least Santa Cruz said they don't really look what kind of jack values they have designing bikes.
Pedal kickback for sure is a thing, just depends on the speed and size of drops you ride.